Who is on your altar this year? And what if you've never made one?

Julia Carmen sits down with her granddaughter, Juliana Guerrero, as Día de los Muertos approaches. Juliana remembers what the season looked like growing up, what she carries from the line of women behind her, and what it's like to teach in a school that builds a huge ofrenda together every year. She names what she calls a teeny tiny silver lining of the overculture's version of the holiday: it has people asking questions.

They talk about doing this with respect, about asking permission, and about the fact that some altars are private. Juliana walks through her living altars, including the love altar she first built during a hard season. Julia talks about where to begin if you're new: start with yourself, start with the people who really saw you, and don't compare. They also talk about grief, and about the songs and films that help carry it.

Julia closes by reading the Fire Dragonfly card, and Juliana leaves us with three words for anyone sitting with their people this week: be still, be kind, be love.

Free Día de los Muertos Resource Kit: theschoolwithoutwalls.net/kit

Learn more about The School Without Walls and the Dragonfly Guides:

• Get your free guide: 10 Questions to Ask Your Soul Self
• Enroll in The Magical Papers
• Explore The School Without Walls

Production assistance from Podlad.com and Daypack Digital. Artwork by Olivia Dancel. Dragonfly art by Soul Creative Design.